This Is Canada's All-New First Ever 2023 Honda SCL500, A True Modern Scrambler
Priced from a remarkably reasonable $9,109 (freight/pdi included), the 2023 Honda SCL500 is a stunningly stylish scrambler destined for the Canadian market in June 2023.
Related to its Honda Rebel sibling, this scrambler version SCL500 alters the Rebel's subframe in order to accommodate a very different seating position with more rearward controls. The Rebel is a low-slung cruiser; the SCL500 is a higher scrambler (albeit at just 31.1 inches the seat is clearly not dirt-bike high) accompanied by high-mounted exhaust, a 19-inch front wheel, and a 17-inch rear wheel. Expect to see SCL500s with slightly knobbier tires, mudguards, shock covers, and rally pegs. The SCL500 features an elegant LCD gauge cluster with a gear indicator.
Powered by a 471-cc parallel twin engine, the SCL500 offers gone of torque, smooth delivery, and typical Honda reliability. The exhaust's unique positioning and tuning mean that while this is the Rebel's engine, it's not going to sound like the Rebel. "The note is tuned for heavier low-frequency sound," says Honda, "with a similar pulsing feel." Canada's SCL500s will all be painted Mat Laurel Green Metallic.
The scrambler market began in Britain in the 1920s quite organically when motorcycle riders wanted lightweight bikes that could handle excursions off the beaten path. The scrambler took off in the the 1960s with shorter seats, small fuel tanks, spoked wheels, high-mounted exhaust, and cosmetic simplicity. If you don't need it, get rid of it.
